Brady GHS HazCom Catalog Page

GHS HazCom

HazCom OSHA Standards and GHS Compliance

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard directly affects all
areas of chemical labeling and specify mandatory employee
training. This means you need to know exactly what the Global
Harmonized System (GHS) is and how it affects your business.

What is GHS?

GHS is an international system that the United Nations created
for the unified classification and labeling of chemicals. It
was officially adopted in the U.S. on March 26, 2012, by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Why does GHS matter?

GHS compliance is important because it gives employees the
right to understand hazard information, rather than the right to
know about potential hazards.

OSHA HazCom violations

HazCom was #2 on OSHA’s Top 10 list of most
frequently cited standards for fiscal year 2017.

2017:

HazCom Labels

2016:

2015:

4,652 citations

5,677 citations

5,192 citations

Regulations

In the United States, OSHA is
enforcing GHS by adopting it
into its Hazard Communication
Standard (CFR 1910.1200). It is
focused on ensuring chemical
safety in the workplace by requiring
chemicals to be labeled and
chemical hazards to be identified in
a way that is easily understood by
workers. It entails:

1910.1200(h)(1)

Employee information and training

1910.1200(e)(1)

Developing, implementing and
maintaining a written HazCom
program

1910.1200(g)(1)

Developing and maintaining written
Safety Data Sheets

1910.1200(f)(1)

Labels on shipped containers

1910.1200(i)(1)

Employee training on new label
elements and Safety Data Sheets

2014:

2013:

5,161 citations

6,156 citations

HazCom Program

Training Labeling

362

GHS HazCom

Full compliance was required as of June 1, 2016

OSHA published an updated Hazard Communication standard in 2012 that incorporated the major elements of the GHS standards.
A 3-year transitional period allowed companies time to fully implement the new GHS standards within their facility prior to the 2016
full compliance deadline. Below is an overview of each of the deadlines and some of the items that were required is listed below.

December 1, 2015June 1, 2015 June 1, 2016December 1, 2013

Employers must train
employees on the new
label elements and Safety
Data Sheet (SDS) format

✔

❏ Schedule and document

periodic re-training on
pictograms, labels and
SDS

✔

❏ Post GHS signs, posters,

and hand out wallet cards

✔

❏ Be able to demonstrate

that workers clearly
understand the hazards
associated with each
chemical they’re exposed
to, along with practice
measures they must take

✔

❏ Separate SDS and

Material Safety Data
Sheet (MSDS) binders
and sheets as part
of the management
system. This helps
you create secondary
container labels
with SDS information
and determine which
chemicals haven’t been
updated

Chemical manufacturers,
importers and distributors
reclassify chemicals, send
SDS and GHS labels

✔

❏ Identify secondary container

labeling needs and
procedures

✔

❏ Purchase GHS labeling

equipment and supplies

✔

❏ Implement labeling

procedures (create your
own or order pre-printed)
based on new SDS sheets

✔

❏

Archive old MSDS for
determined amount of time
(We recommend 30 years)

✔

❏ Re-train on GHS as well

as your existing HazCom
system (NFPA/HMIS) until
full conversion to GHS is
complete

Distributors send only
updated SDS and labels

✔

❏ Update your chemical

database as new SDSs are
received

✔

❏ Review and ensure that all

MSDS for any chemicals
received after December 1,
2015, have been converted
to SDS format

✔

❏ Notify and document

your communications
with suppliers who have
not provided new SDS
information

✔

❏

Audit all containers
for compliance with
updated regulations.
Establish policies to
control improperly labeled
containers

Employer full
compliance deadline

✔

❏ Ensure your training

policy is in place,
including new and
existing chemical
and internal product
changes. Annual training
is always recommended

✔

❏

Update and complete a
written HazCom program
that includes a system
of labeling, pictograms,
training schedule and
how/where to obtain more
information

✔

❏ Perform audits as

conditions change or
once a year to ensure
program effectiveness

Continually enhance your HazCom program

Throughout your journey to HazCom/GHS compliance, you
should always keep the following tasks in mind:

• Note any hazard or PPE changes on SDS sheets with each
chemical that comes into your facility. As new chemicals are
brought into your facility, new hazard and PPE needs may be
required

• Ensure your written HazCom program is updated and reflects
all internal and external changes

• Provide training to all new employees working with or around
hazardous chemicals

HazCom Labels

363

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GHS HazCom

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Formerly called Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), the new Safety Data Sheets (SDS) follow a consistent, user-friendly
format to communicate chemical hazards. They provide the information that’s needed to understand what the chemical is,
what hazards it presents and how to respond to these hazards. SDSs must accompany any hazardous chemicals that are
distributed. Most of the SDSs you need may be available online or through third party providers, such as MSDSonline.com.

When you need to create your compliant GHS labels, the SDS has the content you need. With the SDS information in hand,
you’re then ready to order pre-printed labels or quickly create labels onsite with the right printing system.

How do you obtain an SDS?

Chemical manufacturers, distributors or importers are required to create SDSs for any chemical they offer. These SDSs are
then provided to the companies that purchase and use the chemicals, in order to effectively communicate any relevant
chemical information and hazards.

The 16 elements of Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

The updated standards require that the chemical manufacturer, distributor or importer provide Safety Data
Sheets (SDS) for each hazardous chemical to communicate information on these hazards. Each SDS is
required to be presented in a consistent format, including the following sections:

Section 1: Identication

Chemical and recommended uses, and
supplier contact information.

Section 2: Hazard(s) Identication

Hazards of chemical and the appropriate warning information.

Section 3: Composition/Information of Ingredients

Ingredients contained in the products.

HazCom Labels

Section 4: First-Aid Measures

Initial care that should be given by an untrained
responder to an individual exposed to a chemical.

Section 5: Fire-Fighting Measures

Recommendations for fighting a fire caused by the chemical.

Section 6: Accidental Release Measures

Appropriate response to spills, leaks or releases,
including containment and cleanup practices.

Section 7: Handling and Storage

Safe handling practices and conditions for safe storage.

Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Exposure limits, engineering controls and personal protective
measures to minimize worker exposure.

Without a comprehensive online system to save and manage SDS information, users would have to input data manually in
order to print the needed chemical labels. By utilizing Brady’s partnership with MSDSonline, labels can be quickly populated
and printed — saving you time and ensuring information is input correctly onto the label.

Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical and chemical properties associated with the substance.

Section 10: Stability and Reactivity

Reactivity hazards and stability information.

Section 11: Toxicology Information

Toxicological and health effects information or indicates data is unavailable.

Section 12: Ecological Information (non-mandatory)

Environmental impact of the chemical(s) if it were released to the
environment.

Section 13: Disposal Considerations (non-mandatory)

Proper disposal practices, recycling or reclamation and
safe handling practices.

Section 14: Transport Information (non-mandatory)

Classification information for shipping and transporting.

Section 15: Regulatory Information (non-mandatory)

Safety, health and environmental regulations specific for the
product that is not indicated anywhere else on the SDS.

Section 16: Other Information

When the SDS was prepared or when the last known revision took place.

Brady’s partnership with MSDSonline.com

364

MSDSonline.com

Helps improve the real time
management of chemical
products and SDS

Brady Printers

Reliable label printing with a
range of durable materials
for specific applications or
regulation requirements.

MSDSonline customers use SDS
from their system to create labels
that are formatted with the GHS
label elements and can be printed
to a variety of Brady label printers.

GHS HazCom

Symbols Guide

The new symbols, also known as hazard pictograms, each serve a special purpose and are used to identify hazardous
products. While the environmental pictogram was not mandated by OSHA, it is listed because it may be required by
other agencies for labeling.

Chemical and physical risk symbols

Exploding Bomb

Explosives,
self-reactives,
organic peroxides

Health risk symbols

Corrosion

Skin corrosion;
eye damage

Flame

Flammable gases,
liquids, and solids;
self-reactives;
pyrophorics;
self-heating

Skull and
Crossbones

Acute toxicity

(severe, fatal)

Flame
Over Circle

Oxidizing gases,
liquids and solids

Exclamation Mark

Irritant, dermal
sensitizer, acute
toxicity (harmful)

Gas Cylinder

Compressed gases;
liquefied gases;
dissolved gases

Health Hazard

Carcinogens, respiratory
sensitizers, reproductive
toxicity, target organ toxicity,
germ cell mutagens

Corrosion

Corrosives
to metals

Environmental risk symbols

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet incorporated GHS into its Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) labeling requirements. Currently, a
combination product that contains a pesticide and a fertilizer is regulated as a pesticide

Environment

Aquatic toxicity
(Not regulated by OSHA)

product under the FIFRA and must continue to be labeled in accordance with 40 CFR Part

156. However, some pesticide products may still be required to have an SDS.

HazCom Labels

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365

Pentane

Brady Corporation
6555 West Good Hope Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53223

414-358-0004

50 ml

See safety data sheet
for further details
regarding safe use of
this product.

H225: Highly flammable liquid and
vapour. - H319: Causes serious
eye irritation. - H336: May cause
drowsiness or dizziness.
P210: Keep away from
heat/sparks/open flames/hot
surfaces. - No smoking. ­P2235+P410: Keep cool. Protect
from sunlight. - P302: IF ON SKIN:
Seek medical attention. -P305: IF
IN EYES: Flush with lukewarm
water and seek medical
attention. - P370: In case of fire:
Do not extinguish unless leak
can be stopped safely. - P403:
Store in a well-ventilated place.

DANGER

109-66-0

332-903-9

676-129-89-1

[phone]

GHS HazCom

The Six Elements of GHS Labels

GHS labels for primary containers must have six key elements in order to be compliant to the HazCom 2012 standard. All
chemicals shipped from chemical manufacturers after June 1, 2015, must contain these six elements.

#6 Manufacturer information

Company name, address and
phone number. (SDS Section 1)

#1 Signal word

Indicates relative severity of
hazard. DANGER is used
for most severe instances,
while WARNiNG is less
severe. (SDS Section 2)

HazCom Labels

#2 Symbols (pictograms)

Convey health, physical and environmental
hazard information with red diamond
pictograms. May use a combination of one
to five symbols. (SDS Section 2)

#3 Product name
or identiers*

(SDS Section 1)

* Additional

Product

Identifiers

#4 Hazard statements

Phrases that describe the
nature of hazardous products
and associated risks if
precautionary action is not
taken. (SDS Section 2)

#5 Precautionary statements

Phrases associated with each
hazard statement, that describe
general preventative, response,
storage or disposal precautions.
(SDS Section 2)

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GHS HazCom

Primary vs. Secondary Container

Primary container labeling

Primary chemical containers are bags, barrels,
bottles, boxes, cans, cylinders, and drums that you
receive from the manufacturer. These containers
should be labeled following the GHS mandates
and include all six labeling elements.

When a label is on a container directly from a
supplier, this label cannot be removed, altered
or defaced. If it needs to replaced, the new label
must contain the same information as the original.

Secondary container labeling

Secondary containers are usually smaller than
primary container, such as spray bottles, jugs or jars.
They usually hold chemicals that are transferred from
a primary container.

Secondary containers must comply with GHS
workplace labeling requirements except when the
following criteria are met:

• The material is used within the work shift of the
individual who makes the transfer

• The worker who made the transfer is in the work
area the entire time during use

• The container stays in within the work area and in
the possession of the worker who filled the container

Regulation information

OSHA has not changed the general requirements
for secondary container labeling specifically.
Employers have the option to create their own
workplace labels by using all of the information
provided by the manufacturer or using a
combination of the elements in the GHS label
example on page 366.

Employers may continue to use rating systems
such as the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) diamonds or Hazardous Materials
Identification System (HMIS) requirements for
workplace labels, as long as they are consistent
with the HazCom 2012 / GHS standard.

HazCom Labels

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